These CCTV images showing the final movements of murdered dad John ‘The Badge’ Roberts could hold the key to finding his killer.

Detectives probing the 32-year-old’s death have released the pictures in the hope it will help their investigation.

The images show the devoted Toon fan in a shop and a bookmakers in Blaydon, Gateshead, three days before he was battered to death in his home.

The footage from the Lifestyle Express shop and the Coral bookies is the last sighting of him on camera before he was found dead inside his house in Park Terrace, Winlaton.

Officers investigating the murder are hoping the shots will encourage people to come forward with information about the murder.

Detective Superintendent Roger Ford said: “This footage is the last confirmed sightings that we have of John on camera and although we have spoken to a number of people who tell us they saw him after Thursday, these are the last confirmed images we have.

“Three days after this footage was taken, John was found dead inside his home in Winlaton. We want to speak to anyone who might have seen him in those three days, anyone who might have spoken to John, visited his home or know anything about what he did in those three days.”

Police made a breakthrough in their inquiries when they discovered DNA evidence at his home.

The find confirmed that both a man and a woman had been at the house where John’s body was found.

Detective Superintendent Ford added: “This is a complex murder investigation but we are continuing to do everything we can to solve it.

“The DNA we found inside his home, the scene of the murder, is a huge advance in terms of the investigation and shows us that a man and woman were in John Roberts' house at some point and they could be linked to his death.

“Inquiries to locate the people who the DNA belong to are ongoing and I would like to urge anyone who might have been in John Roberts' home in the months before his death to come forward and speak to us and eliminate themselves from the inquiry. It's in their interests to come and speak to us before we eventually come and speak to them.”

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The 32-year-old died of serious head injuries in December last year.

A murder investigation was launched and eight people, including a teenage boy and girl, were arrested.

Dad-of-one John was a familiar face among the Toon Army. The street trader earned his nickname because he could often be seen selling badges outside the Tyneside Irish Centre, near St James’ Park, on match days.

And he would regularly organise away trips for fellow Newcastle United supporters.

On the evening of Sunday, December 16, police officers on patrol in Winlaton noticed the front door of John’s house in Park Terrace was open. When they went to investigate, John’s body was discovered inside.

John had previously been arrested in September after taking a 14-year-old girl, who said she planned to run away from home, to London to show her what it was like to be homeless.

Anyone with information into the murder is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191 or charity Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 .